Manchester United confident of signing Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal

Arsenal's pre-match preparation for their match against Bournemouth was overshadowed by the news that Alexis Sanchez did not travel with them to the Vitality Stadium. It is likely that the wantaway striker will be playing for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, with just the small matter of "when" to be ironed out, and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand seems to think so.

But despite United's apparent eleventh-hour move for Sanchez, sources have told ESPN FC that the club has been quietly attempting to beat City to the player since last August.

Manchester United have emerged as a strong contenders to sign Sanchez after they offered Arsenal a bigger payment for the attacking star who is out of contract this summer, as well as reportedly proposing bigger fees for the player and his agent to move to Old Trafford this month.

United made a shock £25m move for Alexis Sanchez earlier this week after months of us all assuming that his move to Manchester City was an all but certainty.

"His situation is not decided one way or the other so I left him at home", he said.

Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport?

Asked if a resolution was imminent, Wenger added: "Yes, but don't read too much into it because even I don't know what way it will go".

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will decide to try and cash-in this month or risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer.

"My understanding from the blue side of Manchester is that they don't want to pay anything like £35m for Alexis Sanchez, they would be more happy to pay £20m".

He says he feels sorry for Arsenal fans who will have to soon watch Sanchez play for one of their rivals.